Local News

CSP Troop 3-B readies for unique solar event

Anticipated large volume of traffic on I-76 and surrounding roadways will test law enforcement

By Lisa Young

Journal-Advocate staff writer

Posted:
08/17/2017 09:39:07 PM MDT

Northeastern Colorado can expect to get its fair share of travelers to the region during the much anticipated summer solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21. GreatAmericanEclipse.com estimates between 2 and 7 million people will travel to the path of totality to get a glimpse of the event. Wyoming is anticipating upwards of 600,000 new visitors for the rare moment.

While Sterling is not in the 100 percent totality, it is very close at 97.1 percent and no one knows for sure how many travelers will be in the area to either view the eclipse here or head north toward totality. However, the CSP expects a significant uptick in area traffic beginning Friday, Aug. 18, and lasting through Tuesday, Aug. 22.

"We anticipate that the eclipse will have a significant impact on the northeastern plains as people travel north to Wyoming or Nebraska," said Capt. Gaylon Grippin, Troop 3-B commander in Sterling.

He also anticipates that traffic from the Front Range and road conditions will potentially create overflow onto I-76, creating the need for additional officers. Troop 3-B in Sterling will begin overstaffing the area with more troopers on the highways starting Saturday and continuing through Tuesday, according to Grippin.

"We will be attempting to position troopers in expected high traffic areas, such as Julesburg and several north-south corridors like Highway 71, 113 and 385," Grippin said.

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In addition to more troopers, Troop 3-B will partner with the Colorado Department of Transportation, emergency managers, fire departments and law enforcement agencies to prepare for other potential issues such as fires and weather incidents. CSP has been using various media outlets to prepare the public for the heavy traffic load and advising the public on finding safe places to view the eclipse.

Grippin said that whether people travel a long distance to view the eclipse or drive in the local area, the increase in traffic will be noticeable. Travelers should prepare for possible traffic delays by making sure their vehicle is ready for travel. They should bring food, water and necessary medications in case they get stranded or delayed by traffic.

"The last thing we want is for a rare and interesting event like this to turn into a life-threatening event," Grippin said. He suggested that travelers check road conditions and weather conditions. Road conditions for Colorado can be found at cotrip.org.

CDOT has also been making preparations statewide for what could be a top traffic event of the year.

""This has the potential to be a major traffic event — both given the heavy traffic volume as well as disruptions due to the eclipse," said CDOT Executive Director Shailen Bhatt. "We are asking the driving public to plan ahead, be safe, and be patient."

Steps the department is taking to ensure travelers' safety include:

• Stopping permits for all oversize/overweight vehicles from Thursday, Aug. 17, to Wednesday, Aug. 23, north of Colorado Highway 50.

• Suspending construction on all projects from Friday afternoon to Tuesday morning.

• Increasing Courtesy Patrol along North I-25 from one unit to four.

• Strategically staging with CSP and local emergency responders along the major corridors to respond to incidents on the roadways.

• Closely monitoring traffic and incidents from CDOT Traffic Management Centers using traffic cameras and other Intelligent Transportation System devices.

The partial solar eclipse in northeastern Colorado will be 97 to 98 percent, causing significant darkness. Grippin said drivers should use their vehicle lights and should only stop in safe places to view the event. Drivers who stop on the side of the road may be issued a citation.

Grippin also said people should be aware of the increase in distracted people who maybe filming, using their phones or staring up through darkened glasses. He said everyone should be watching out for their own safety and the safety of others.

The eclipse will begin in the Sterling area on Monday, Aug. 21 at 10:26 a.m. and last for 2 hours and 51 minutes.

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